Birstall vs Shepshed
Which is better to live in? Distance: 9.2 miles apart.
The verdict
Birstall is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 19% lower. Shepshed has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Birstall edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Birstall
£260,306
Shepshed
£320,460
Crime Rate
Birstall
68.0
Shepshed
67.9
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Birstall
100.0%
Shepshed
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Birstall
486.2
Shepshed
299.9
EPC Rating
Birstall
70.4
Shepshed
72.2
Median Income
Birstall
£30,112
Shepshed
£32,875
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East MidlandsAt £260,306, Birstall undercuts Shepshed (£320,460) by around 19% on average house prices. The most affordable entry point in Birstall is a flat at £166,694, while in Shepshed it is a flat at £103,667.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 61% pricier in Birstall (£166,694 vs £103,667).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Shepshed prices grew faster — 79% vs 39%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East MidlandsShepshed has a crime rate of 67.9 per 1,000 residents, which is 0% lower than Birstall at 68 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Birstall is violent-crime, while in Shepshed it is violent-crime.
Crime Rate by Category (per 1,000 residents)
Both towns share the same top crime category: violent crime.
Schools & Education
Best for schools in East MidlandsOf the 4 schools in Birstall, 100% are in the top two inspection bands. In Shepshed, which has 5 schools, the figure is 100%.
Birstall School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Shepshed School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 5 schools (4 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Birstall | Shepshed |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 4 | 5 |
| Primary | 3 | 4 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband in Birstall averages 486.2 Mbps – ahead of Shepshed's 299.9 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 99.1% of premises in Birstall and 93.5% in Shepshed. Gigabit availability stands at 96.8% in Birstall and 50.5% in Shepshed.
Birstall is the faster of the two by 62% on average download speed (486 vs 300 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Shepshed leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 72.2 (C), while Birstall averages 70.4 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,102 in Birstall and £1,135 in Shepshed. 62.4% of homes in Birstall have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 66.6% in Shepshed.
Shepshed has more energy-efficient housing — 66.6% reach band C or above, vs 62.4% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £32,875.3 in Shepshed and £30,111.7 in Birstall. The median age is 41.2 in Birstall and 44 in Shepshed. Owner-occupancy is 64.8% in Birstall versus 72.4% in Shepshed. Employment rates stand at 56.7% in Birstall and 58% in Shepshed.
| Indicator | Birstall | Shepshed |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 13,960 | 14,873 |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 44 |
| Median Household Income | £30,111.7 | £32,875.3 |
| Employment Rate | 56.7% | 58% |
| Owner Occupied | 64.8% | 72.4% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 30% | 36% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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